Issue 8 December 2010


Quantum


HEALTH


shallow chest breathers, which, among a host of other consequences, leads to low body oxygen and abnormal blood gas levels. These, in turn, adversely affect cell function and overall immune function.


Ideally, your breath should be deep enough to stimulate your diaphragm, which is the optimal breathing pattern to maintain proper blood chemistry and fully oxygenate cells. When you are breathing through your diaphragm you will notice that your stomach tends to rise and fall with every breath cycle (one inhalation and exhalation). The diaphragm is at the top of what’s called the muscular cylinder support system, which stabilizes your lumbar spine and entire pelvic region. Slow, deep breaths that stimulate your diaphragm not only strengthen this muscular support system, but gently exercise the muscles and internal organ structures in that area.


If you have a chronic illness, especially a respiratory illness, you might experience a different problem: hyperventilating. You might not only be a chest breather, but you probably breathe in short, rapid inhalations and exhalations. Hyperventilating is common in people with chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia, or long-term painful conditions,


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such as lower back issues. Pain tends to make you hyperventilate. This breathing pattern does not fully oxygenate the body and also leads to abnormal blood gas levels. You can lose too much carbon dioxide, so that your blood becomes too alkaline. Overly alkaline blood raises a host of problems, from constricting smooth muscles and blood vessels to disrupting normal neural function and raising anxiety levels.


One of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your overall health is to become aware of your breathing pattern and change it for the better. There are many techniques that teach proper breathing, and you can find many free demonstration videos on the Internet. However, you can begin on your own, right now, by simply making sure that each breath you take is deep enough to get air flowing through your chest (so that your lungs fully expand) and down past your diaphragm (causing your belly to gently rise). Each breath should be natural, not forced, and feel comfortable. If you are not used to breathing fully and deeply, you might at first experience slight dizziness or feel lightheaded. That’s because you’re finally getting your brain and body fully oxygenated. It might take a while to reprogram yourself to breathe properly, but stick with it—your immune system will thank you!


Quantum Health 45


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